Title:

Using Photostory to Create a Classroom Book

- If You Give a Preschooler a...

Subject:

Technology, Language, Literacy, Cognitive, Social Emotional

Grade:

Preschool

Time Frame:

Approximately 10-18 days

Day 1 - Read the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff

Day 2 - Re-read the story and discuss how each page is based on the page before it

Days 3+ - Create illustration, take digital image of illustration, upload into PhotoStory, and narrate illustrated page (I plan to work with 1-2 students per day to ensure the story flows and technology can be introduced one-on-one.)

Summary:

After hearing the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff, students will collaborate to create their own book entitled "If You Give a Preschooler a...". The student will illustrate their page based on the page created by the student before him/her, take a digital picture of the illustration and narrate the page in PhotoStory after the illustration is uploaded by the teacher.

Objectives

Teaching Strategies Gold Objectives

• communication
• collaboration
• problem solving
• creativity & innovation
• decision making

Tasks:

Day 1

1) During large group (or read aloud), read the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff

Day 2

2) During large group, re-read the story discussing how each page is based on the page before it

3) Model the project by creating the first two pages of the book together as a class.

Days 3+

Work with one student at a time to create the next page of the story.

4) Read the latest page created (page prior to the student's page) to the student. Ask the student what he/she thinks the preschooler in the story will need next. (Write the child's response on the back of the paper along with the page number for the book.)

5) Student will write his/her name on the back of the paper then turn the paper over to create an illustration based on his/her response. (Optional: Ask child to also write the text for the page.)

6) Student will take a digital image of his/her illustration.

7) Teacher will upload into PhotoStory.

8) Student will narrate his/her illustrated page using PhotoStory making revisions as necessary.

9) Upon completion of the PhotoStory book...

• Teacher will bind the hard copy pages into a book for the classroom library shelf.

• Students will view their digital story during large group or read aloud. Share the digital story with families.

• Optional - Students may wish to plan a "Private Viewing" launch event (including refreshments, decorations, etc.) for their family and other staff.

Personalization/

Differentiation

Student choice is incorporated by allowing the student to decide what the preschooler in the story will need next. The student will also have personal choice in art materials.

Strong students will be challenged to write the text for their page.

Strong students can be challenged to use PhotoStory to create their own original work.

Struggling students will be supported via one-on-one teacher support. If the student is struggling with an idea for his/her page, peer brainstorming collaboration may an option. Students that are too shy to dictate may choose a peer to dictate the page.

An ESL student may dictate his/her page in their native language followed by the teacher providing an English interpretation.

Real-World Connection

It is important for students to see themselves as writers even before they become proficient in letter/sound recognition and letter formation.

The audience for this project is the child, family and staff.

The work can be sent to families. It may also be displayed during parent nights or the public library.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed based on their individual ability for the objectives listed.

Resources:

• Book, paper, art materials, computer, PhotoStory, iPad or digital camera, microphone, internet access